Mining industry complains about rise in ice-addicted workers

BIG BUST: Police display 135kg of crystal meth, also known as ice, in July last year.DAVID Croslingaap

AN INCREASE in mining workers abusing the drug ice while on the job has prompted a call for employers to be given greater support from the government.

A parliamentary inquiry into crystal methamphetamine has heard the impact of the substance is extremely difficult to manage and predict.

An Australian Industry Group submission said ice was harming productivity and workplace safety on a broad scale.

"The threatening and abusive behaviours that some employers have reported from ice-affected employees also create safety risks for co-workers, managers and customers and damage productive working relationships," the submission said.

"These drug-affected behaviours are all the more dangerous and threatening when they occur in regional or remote work sites, where there are generally fewer community services to provide help."

Responding to anecdotal evidence that "ice was the drug of choice for miners", AI Group called for employers to be given greater rights for easy and effective drug and alcohol testing on work sites.